Cigarette package with a self contained packet of matches

ABSTRACT

A cigarette package with a self-contained packet of matches wherein the matches are releasably secured by an adhesive to the cigarette enclosure. The matches are advantageously formed with a striking head disposed on the underside of each individual match, so that the matches are stored with the match head disposed between the match body and the cigarette enclosure. An adhesive releasably secures the matches to the cigarette enclosure at a point whereby the end of the match away from the match head is free to be gripped by the user. A removable retaining member secures the packet of matches on the cigarette package prior to use.

United States Patnt 11 1 [H1 3,713,531 1 Jan.30,1973

Doumas [5 1 CIGARETTE PACKAGE WITH A SELF- CONTAINED PACKET OF MATCHES [76] inventor: George C. Doumas, 168 East 2nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10009 [22] Filed: Nov. 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 91,418

[52] U.S. Cl. ..206/48, 229/51 AS [51} Int. Cl. ....B65d 79/00 [58] Field of Search ..44/42; 206/48; 229/51 S [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS .F B lGliliAT NlSYOEM LICAIIQN Primary Examiner.loseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-John M. Caskie Attorney-Douglas W. Wyatt [57] ABSTRACT A cigarette package with a self-contained packet of matches wherein the matches are releasably secured by an adhesive to the cigarette enclosure. The matches are advantageously formed with a striking head disposed on the underside of each individual match, so that the matches are stored with the match head disposed between the match body and the cigarette enclosure. An adhesive releasably secures the matches to the cigarette enclosure at a point whereby the end of the match away from the match head is free to be gripped by the user. A removable retaining member secures the packet of matches on the cigarette package prior to use;

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 30 I975 m 20 j 227 21 I F/GZ INVENTOR 650456 c. 001M445 Devil/i5 m 14 7477 ATTORNEY CIGARETTE PACKAGE WITH A SELF- CONTAINED PACKET OF MATCHES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel construction of a cigarette package with self-contained packet of matches.

It is well known that smokers of cigarettes are frequently inconvenienced by not having matches readily available when they desire to smoke a cigarette. Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a cigarette package having a self-contained packet of matches.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a package of cigarettes that has a self-contained packet of matches disposed thereon in a highly convenient manner.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a self-contained packet of matches that is adapted for use with conventional cigarette packages and is relatively economical to manufacture and convenient to use.

It will be understood that the following description with the details of exemplary structure is not to be construed in any way to limit the invention, but that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings attached hereto wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the novel cigarette package of this invention having a self-contained packet of matches.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. I with the cover sheet for the packet of matches removed thereby exposing the matches for ready use.

FIG. 4 illustrates an individual match removed from the package of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of this invention and the rows of matches on the cigarette package in an alternate arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4, the novel cigarette package of this invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, encloses cigarettes 10a by means of the usual inner layer of foil 12 and a conventional outer paper enclosure 14 which normally has an exterior surface with advertising subject matter printed thereon such as the brand name of the cigarettes.

'Advantageously disposed in a highly desirable manner on the top surface of the paper enclosure 14 is a packet of matches, generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The packet provides, as viewed in FIG. 1, a row of matches, 22a on the right side of the package 10 and another oppositely disposed row 22b on the left side of the package. Tear lines 24a and 24b are provided between the individual matches 22 for ready removal of an individual match.

The matches 22 are releasably retained on the package 10 by means of a conventional glue or adhesive 26, selectively placed between the enclosure 14 and the rows of matches 22a and 22b, that releasably retains the matches 22 on the enclosure 14 but allows the matches 22 to be removed by lifting an individual match 22 upwardly and away from the enclosure 14. Each individual match 22 has a match head 28 of conventional material disposed on the underside thereof so that the match head 28 is safely placed between the body of the match 22 and the enclosure 14. The adhesive 26 my be placed on the enclosure 14 at a point generally midway between the opposite ends of the matches 22 so that the end of the match away from the head 28 is free to be grasped by the fingers of a user. An individual match 22 illustrated in FIG. 4 which has been removed from the packet 20, may now be struck on a conventional striking strip 29 conveniently mounted on the opposite side of the enclosure 14 safely away from the packet 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when a number of matches have been removed, an area 14a of the surface of the enclosure 14 becomes progressively exposed. The area 14a may have a slogan or other printed matter that becomes progressively visible in an interesting or amusing manner.

In order to protect the packet 20 prior to use, a cover sheet 30 may be superimposed over the packet 20 and is adhesively secured to the opposite sides of the enclosure 14. In order to open the packet 20 for use, a pair of tear strips 32a and 32b are provided on opposite sides of the packet 20 for tearing the cover sheet 30 to expose the matches 22 for use. As is readily apparent from FIG. 3, once the tear strips 32 have been pulled and the cover sheet 30 is torn away, the individual matches are exposed for ready use. The user then can grasp the end of a match 22 adjacent the edge of the package 10 by pulling upward and tearing the match 22 away from the adhesive 26 whereby an individual match is then available for striking on an abrasive strip 29 for lighting the match 22.

In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, instead of a cover sheet 30 over the entire top of the packet 20, a releasably secured retaining strip 38 may be provided adjacent the free ends of the matches 22. The strip 38 is releasably secured to the enclosure 14 and the free ends of the matches 22 away from the head 28 by means of conventional adhesive which allows the strip 38 to be conveniently. removed when desired thereby exposing the free ends of the matches 22 to the grasp of the user. The usual cigarette package cellophane wrapping may also be used to cover the packet of matches prior to use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rows of matches 22 may be mounted on the enclosure 14 so that the rows of matches extend either in a transverse or longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, this invention provides a highly advantageous way of conveniently disposing a packet of matches on a package of cigarettes where they are always available for ready use in a manner that is safe, convenient and inexpensive.

It will be understood that the foregoing description with the details of exemplary structure is not to be construed in any way to limit the invention, but that modification may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claim.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

l. A cigarette package providing a self-contained packet of matches adapted for use on a conventional cigarette package including an enclosure for cigarettes, a packet of matches having a plurality of matches releasably disposed on said cigarette enclosure; each of said matches having a match head formed adjacent on one end thereof on the underside of the match adjacent to the enclosure; an adhesive releasably securing said matches to said enclosure; removable means securing said packet of matches on said enclosure prior to use and an abrasive striking strip on the opposite side of said enclosure away from said matches, said adhesive being disposed a distance from the ends of said matches opposite to said ends having said match heads formed thereon, thereby leaving ends away from the match heads free for gripping by the user, said removable means being a cover sheet means disposed over said packet of matches and wherein a tear strip is provided under said cover sheet for removing the cover sheet to expose the free ends of the matches for gripping by the user, said cover sheet means being secured over said packet of matches by being attached along opposite sides of said enclosure, so that said packet of matches may be conveniently attached to a conventional cigarette package, said packet of matches being formed with tear lines allowing the ready removal of individual matches and wherein said cigarette package has an advertisement under said matches which isprogressively uncovered as the matches are used. 

1. A cigarette package providing a self-contained packet of matches adapted for use on a conventional cigarette package including an enclosure for cigarettes, a packet of matches having a plurality of matches releasably disposed on said cigarette enclosure; each of said matches having a match head formed adjacent on one end thereof on the underside of the match adjacent to the enclosure; an adhesive releasably securing said matches to said enclosure; removablE means securing said packet of matches on said enclosure prior to use and an abrasive striking strip on the opposite side of said enclosure away from said matches, said adhesive being disposed a distance from the ends of said matches opposite to said ends having said match heads formed thereon, thereby leaving ends away from the match heads free for gripping by the user, said removable means being a cover sheet means disposed over said packet of matches and wherein a tear strip is provided under said cover sheet for removing the cover sheet to expose the free ends of the matches for gripping by the user, said cover sheet means being secured over said packet of matches by being attached along opposite sides of said enclosure, so that said packet of matches may be conveniently attached to a conventional cigarette package, said packet of matches being formed with tear lines allowing the ready removal of individual matches and wherein said cigarette package has an advertisement under said matches which is progressively uncovered as the matches are used. 